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Should the conflict between the two groups of nordic gods be considered a reflection of a historic event or a portrayal of the shift of the people of the north, or both?

Was this war between the mainly fertility-concerned Vanir and the more battle-ready Æsir reflecting the invasion of outsiders to a more peaceful people?

It is a complex topic to consider, and to begin to contemplate the possibilities of a time where war was, in fact, not the law and the norm of life for people.

The book series, The Ringing Cedars of Russia, by Vladimir Megre, describes the Vedic Russians, a group that is little known by history, and surely not learnt about in school. The Vedic Russians were deeply spiritual, according to Megre, and cultivated their food as they cultivated their connection with the earth and the universe, and the one united force we could call God (the universal consciousness). The connection the Vedic Russians had with nature was at the same time their connection with all of life, and with the prime spiritual force in life. They ate no meat, as there was an abundance of plant life readily available to them and they were able to communicate closely with animals which caused a natural bond, the animals surrounding them were something like pets, so they of course could not kill them.

These people were not interested in war, but if invaders came, they could easily fend them off. They could think quickly, and had spiritual powers that modern man has long since lost.

Were the people of the north as similarly connected to the earth, to the plants, to the animals? Were they slowly invaded and caused to evolve to adopt a less nature based approach?

War and the warrior have been revered by modern man, and civilizations as long as history has recorded. We think war is the only way. Indeed, it is correct to be ready to stand up for oneself, to defend one’s people, to put obstacles out of the way. But mankind’s purpose is not to bloodthirstily rip up other people. The soul, the deeper spiritual aspect of all people longs for a peace, a unity and sense of comfort. This is in fact, a strength-not a weakness. Seeking conflict leads to a never ending cycle of conflict.

Especially among the people of the north, where the revival of interest in the pagan legacy of the north has sparked, it is the war-like vikings one usually first thinks of. The Hammer of Thor is a strong symbol to wear, to invoke and evoke strength, daring and protection: all very good things. We have to be ready to defend ourselves if need be.

That said, admiring plundering, thieving, perpetual war is not a way to a more developed spiritual being. One only lives by “might is right”, instead of weighing justice and truth as principles that should be lived by- no matter who has the stronger arm.

Revering only the blood-thirsty will only lead to more conflict. If we want to live a sustainable life for ourselves, and our children, we have to put ourselves on the road to a sustainable future that is based on a closeness, an intimacy and appreciation with the earth. A bond with the finer things in life, an appreciation for the defenceless, for the intuition, for art, for aesthetics, and the very practical act of cultivating food for oneself- which leads to freedom and to possibly, if done in harmony with the earth (organic, permaculture) a deeper spiritual connection can be cultivated.

We can learn many things from both the Vanir and Æsir. We know that death is an inevitable part of life- but seeking the death of another is not necessary. If one does this for the furthering of one’s material status in life, one is living against the harmony of nature. Defending oneself is necessary. Living justly is necessary. Seeking out and finding a bond with the spirit and nature is necessary. Otherwise we simply only continue to live in the materialistic, utterly distanced from the spirit society we find ourselves in today.